Best Fishing Spots in Noosa

Off the Beach

With clean, clear waterways, Noosa is brimming with a huge variety of ocean fish, including bream, flathead, whiting, dart, and when in season, tailor. The groynes on Main Beach sometimes produce good size Chopper Tailor and Greenback Tailor run off North shore and the Sunshine Beaches yield Whiting and Dart.

Off the Rocks

Rock fishing can produce some of the best catches and it’s an excellent sport for anglers of all types.

The main issue with rock fishing is that you must obey the hard and fast rules of rock fishing.

Rules of Noosa Rockfishing

Never fish alone, always go with a mate, preferably someone who has had rock fishing experience.

Always keep your eye on the sea, and if possible retreat at the first sign of a dangerous swell.

If you are caught by a wave surging over your spot, stand with one foot in front of the other, with your weight on the front foot facing the surge. Go in prepared, know the impending weather forecast and also spend time observing the sea conditions on the spot you want to fish before heading out over the rocks.

Where to Rock Fish in Noosa

The Noosa National Park headland is the best rock hopping location in south east Queensland. At various times of the year it provides mackerel, tuna, yellowtail kings, cobia, various trevally, big Jew, some big tailor and dart, bream and various reefies. It is best fished at night and from dawn through to about 10am.

Other great locations for rock fishing are the Rock wall off Main Beach, The Fairy Pools, a 25 minute solid walk from the Noosa Heads National Park and the headland at Double Island Point.

Estuary Fishing

Noosa is home to over 40km of pristine river to explore and fish. Enjoy the tranquil waterways, admire the rare native bird life and you can even pull up a few crab pots and taste the legendary Queensland Mud or Blue Swimmer Crab.

River Fish Species and fishing locations

From the mouth of the Noosa River to Lake Cootharaba you can catch Mangrove Jack, Trevally, Tailor, Bream, Whiting and Flathead, using fly, soft body, hard body, lures and live bait.

From Lake Cootharaba up stream through the Everglades and Kin Kin creek you may catch Australian Bass, Tarpon, and Mangrove Jack.

Looking for a bit of a challenge? Laguna Bay is a great place to fish particularly in the winter months and can be full of Tuna, (Northern Blue, Yellow Fin, and Mack Tuna) and Mackerel both spotty and Spanish, using fly, and light line lure.

Fishing around dusk and dawn can bring some great catches off the road bridges, such as yellow fin bream, silver trevally and sand bream.

Out in the Tinny (rowboat)

Just offshore from Noosa Main Beach are some great reef fishing spots, so grab the tinny and supplies and head out for a great day of ocean fishing.

North Reef is about 15 kms North East of the Noosa Bar. The reef is a good spot for Snapper, Squire, Coral Trout, and Red Emperor and Maori Cod.

Chardon’s Reef is about 15 kms East of Sunshine Beach. Species commonly caught at Chardon’s include Snapper, Pearl Perch, Teraglin Jew, Tuna, and seasonal Juvenile Black Marlin and Sailfish.

Jew Shoal Reef in Laguna Bay is the first good spot north of Main Beach. The Jew Shoal is good for Spotty Mackerel and Baitfish.

Both Little Hall’s and Big Hall’s Reef are further north along the coast from Noosa. Both sites are good for Spotted Mackerel, Yellow fin, Long tail, and Mack Tuna.

Further North is Double Island Point. The Point yields Snapper, Pearl Perch, and good size Trevally. The headland at Double Island Point is especially favoured by rock fishermen.

Deep Sea Fishing Noosa

Noosa Heads is home to some of the best offshore fishing in Queensland. Popular fishing locations include; Sunshine Reef, Jew Shoal, North Reef, Halls Reef, Chardon’s Reef and Barwon Banks.

Deep Sea Fishing Tour operators target these areas because they know they are home to a wide variety of colourful and delicious eating local reef fish.

Half and full day Charter boat hire includes, rods, bait tackle, friendly crew that will clean and ice your catch, lots of encouragement and coaching from qualified crew members, meals and courtesy bus pick up from around Noosa and Tewantin. You can even BYO beer and wine.

Noosa offers some of the best off shore fishing action you will find in Queensland and local fishing clubs such as The Sunshine Coast Game Fishing club and Noosa Yachties Fishing Club offer a fun, competitive and social environment for fishermen of all types to enjoy.

Noosa Bar

Crossing the Noosa Bar is a serious undertaking and must be done with extreme caution. The bar is shallow with shifting sands and best crossed at high tide in gentle surf. It is advisable to contact the Noosa Coastguard (ph 07 54497670) prior to attempting a crossing, who can escort you across the Noosa Bar if required.

Permits or Licenses required for fishing Noosa.

Anglers do not require a licence to fish recreationally in Queensland, except if fishing in some stocked impoundments (dams). For information on permits and dams involved in the Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme (SIPS) contact the Department of Primary Industries, 132523.

Noosa Fishing Regulations Apply To

The size and number of fish you may catch

The seasons that you can catch certain fish

And the type of equipment you are permitted to use

For further information, please Contact Department of Primary Industries Call Centre on 13 25 23 if you live in Queensland or +61 7 3404 6999 for Interstate and International callers.